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“Katja, you are trying my patience,” I warned her.
Her bright eyes flashed before she said, “Fine, Maksim. Then say what you have to say, so that I can get some rest.”
I had to let out a calming breath because she really was trying my patience. “That night at Millie’s had not been meant to humiliate you. At the time, I honestly believed that you would be working for the bratva once we found Nikel, and so I did what we did with most of our newest recruits. However, by that time, I’d already been invested in you, and so I refused to let anyone else showcase you.” Katja just stared at me, unimpressed by my explanation so far. “I thought that I was doing you a favor in allowing you something that would help you keep your grandfather at home with you. While I had no problem footing the bill, I had no plans on footing it forever.”
Her jaw ticked as tears sprung to her eyes. “You really are a sonofabitch, Maksim.”
“When I realized that I’d made a mistake, it’d been too late to go back,” I went on, not bothering to disagree with her since it was true that I was a heartless sonofabitch most of the time. “If I had stopped, then you would have been viewed as one of the lower-class options, and things would have just gotten worse for you after that.”
Her eyes rounded in disbelief. “Are you seriously sitting there, telling me that you did me a favor? Are you serious?”
“No,” I answered truthfully. “I’m just explaining what would have happened had I not followed through on why I’d taken you there.”
She shook her head at me. “Maksim, no matter what you say, it changes nothing. People saw me at my most vulnerable, believing that I’m a whore for purchase.”
“No, they do not,” I corrected. “After I realized my error, I spoke with Avgust, and he immediately went into damage control.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“By then, everyone in the bratva knew that we were looking for Nikel Ovchinnikov,” I explained. “He was a top priority, so it was hardly a secret that we were willing to do anything to find him. So, between the bounty on his head, the whispers on the street, and how his entire crew had already been obliterated, Avgust put the word out that you belonged to me, and with that, the show that we put on at Millie’s had been to draw Nikel out and nothing more. When the calls for you came in, Melor made it clear that you were not for sale, and that pretty much backed up Avgust’s story.”
“So?” she asked when I was finally done. “What is any of that supposed to change? You still had sex with me in front of complete strangers without my permission. While some women might look the other way if you flashed enough cash in their faces, I’m not those other women, Maksim.”
Katja wasn’t going to budge, and I could see that now. Credit to her, she was one of the strong ones. Katja Volkov knew her worth, and no explanation from me was going to make her forget that. I also felt sorry for her because that self-worth of hers was going to make our marriage difficult, though it was fair to say that I probably deserved it.
With that fight one that was never going to be over, I decided to do what I did best, and that was to take control of whatever situation I found myself in. “In speaking with Artur, I found out that there is a lot more to you and your grandfather’s living arrangement other than just being family.”
Her back straightened. “What do you mean?”
“I learned that the house in which you live is the same house that your grandfather and grandmother lived and raised their family.” Those tears were back. “I learned that your grandfather’s entire life with his wife is in that house, and that is why it was so important to you that he live with you. It is why you refused to give up the house, despite the financial struggles.”
“What’s your point?” she bit out, clearly upset that I was touching on such a personal topic.
“As soon as we get your grandfather settled here, I will arrange for the house to be moved,” I informed her. “Being who I am, both properties on either side of my home belong to me, as well as the property across the street. If you agree, we can demolish whichever home you choose, then relocate your grandfather’s home to the empty lot. If that’s still too far away for you, then we can move the house to the backyard, which is certainly large enough to accommodate the move.”
“You…you can’t just move a house, Maksim,” she said, quickly wiping away her tears.
“Actually, you can, lyublyu,” I replied. “It just takes money and time to make it happen.”
Katja shook her head sadly. “You really are a manipulative bastard.”
“I am.”
Instead of saying anything to that, she said, “I want to go with you when you speak with my grandfather. I don’t want him to worry, and you showing up without me will make him worry.”
“As long as you understand that nothing you say or do will change my mind about you, Katja,” I told her. “So, if this is another attempt to escape me, it will not work.”
Her jaw ticked again. “I just want to be there for my grandfather.”
Adding more fuel to the fire, I said, “Do not forget to send your resignation letter, lyublyu. Since you cannot win, there is no sense in making this harder than it needs to be.”
“Harder for who?” she shot back. “As long as you’re getting your way, what does it matter if I’m miserable.”
“Because I love you,” I told her again. “I love you, and whether it seems like it or not, I do not enjoy seeing you unhappy.”
She started laughing, and the sound was an empty one. “Yeah…okay.”
“We will also be married as soon as your grandfather gives me permission,” I added.
